Biography

Born blind from congenital glaucoma, Ronnie Milsap was one of the major figures of country music during the 1970s and '80s, developing a country-pop hybrid that brought him a large audience. He released his eponymous debut in 1971 and became a genuine star in 1976, with a string of six number one hits in a row that initiated a remarkable run where he didn't leave the Top Ten for 15 straight years. Between 1980 and 1982, he had ten more consecutive number ones, including the crossover smashes "Smoky Mountain Rain," "No Gettin' Over Me," and "Any Day Now." In total, he had 35 number ones. ~ Sandra Brennan